Thus Spake RussManager of networks. Servant of cats. Army veteran. Router geek.2014-12-10T14:41:44Zhttp://emersons.net/feed/atom/WordPressRusshttp://emersons.net/?p=119852014-12-10T14:41:44Z2014-12-10T14:12:14ZYes, I’m still alive. Missing some digits (all my toes) and unable to walk yet, but alive nonetheless.
]]>1Russhttp://emersons.net/?p=119502014-04-22T23:29:08Z2014-04-22T21:40:46ZSix years ago today, I was privileged to bring home the lads that have become my closest companions, while remaining each others’ best buddies.

[Not the best picture, but it’ll do.]

Packet and Kismet were raised from feline infancy through to their first birthdays at the Cat Angels rescue shelter, a non-profit organization that I wholeheartedly support, and would encourage any and all to support via donation.

]]>2Russhttp://emersons.net/?p=119452014-04-18T23:28:16Z2014-04-18T23:09:20ZAnother week, another feline birthday. Yes, today is the day Kismet turns seven years old.

Here we see him doing one of the things he does best:

He’s a wonderful lad, the epitome of cat, and my constant companion. I’m not sure what I would do without him, his playfulness, inquisitiveness, and his affection. Like his “brother,” he’s great to have, and I hope for many more years.

]]>1Russhttp://emersons.net/?p=119392014-04-11T19:56:34Z2014-04-11T19:29:06ZIt’s rather hard to believe, but my big fluffball Packet turns seven years old today.

There aren’t many bright spots in my days, but one I can count on is that Packet will at some point hop up into my lap for a nose-boop and an extended chin-skritch session, his quiet purrs buzzing away like there’s no tomorrow.

He’s a delight to have here, and I hope we have many more years together.

]]>4Russhttp://emersons.net/?p=119072014-02-11T20:22:25Z2014-02-11T20:22:16ZShingeki no Kyojin (“Attack on Titan”) (2013)Directed by Tetsuro Araki. 25 episodes, Japanese language, subtitled in English

Quick Review: This will either keep your eyes glued to the screen, make you want to learn Japanese, or both.

5 stars.

“Are you the food?” “No, we are the hunters.”

So begins one of the most impressive opening credits sequences I have ever seen.

One of the, if not the, most anticipated and watched anime series of 2013 is now available on Netflix (and streaming.) I cannot recommend it highly enough.

For those who have never watched an anime series, this would be a good introduction; I think the word to describe it would be “accessible.” Shingeki no Kyojin does almost everything the genre is meant to be capable of — well-developed characters, deep story-telling, complete with drama, action, horror, pathos, and more — and does it all well.

“Cartoon” though it may be, it is most emphatically not for little kids, however. Certainly not those prone to nightmares.

The story:

Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by titans. Titans are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence, devour human beings and, worst of all, seem to do it for the pleasure rather than as a food source. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest of titans.

Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a titan in over 100 years. Teenage boy Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a colossal titan that appears out of thin air. As the smaller titans flood the city, the two kids watch in horror as their mother is eaten alive. Eren vows that he will murder every single titan and take revenge for all of mankind.

The “this” refers to both the tank driving and the video editing, but there’s more going on than meets the eye.

I joined the 1st Cavalry clan last year at the end of January, and in the brief time since then, in a series of events which continue to mystify me, I’ve advanced from new recruit to one of the ruling junta, a member of the quadrumvirate, part of the Gang of Four, so to speak – one of the people responsible for the success of our clan as a social community consisting of several hundred people.

We could have been a bowling league, I suppose, or perhaps a book club, but it just so happens that our social group revolves around participation and competition in World of Tanks.

It’s fortunate for me that such online communities exist, seeing as I don’t/can’t get out much anymore. I can log on to our Teamspeak server and be instantly connected – actually conversing – with people all around the country, and even a few from places as diverse as Denmark, Australia, or Brazil. I’ve made some good friends.

Having that human contact on a daily basis, when otherwise I might be devolving into a hermit-like crazy cat lady guy, has been a real gift to me.

RT @Pur48Ted: Has anyone noticed how much Harry Reid (D NV) looks like the 1969 San Francisco police drawing of the Zodiac Killer? http://t…->

]]>0Russhttp://emersons.net/that-twitter-thing-3/2013-11-05T15:36:44Z2013-11-05T15:36:44Z RT @brithume: Purpose of Obamacare: Insure the uninsured. Effect of Obamacare to date: Uninsure the insured. -> RT @SteveWorks4You: Only six people signed up for Obamacare on its launch. Even the Heaven's Gate cult managed to convince 39 people. -> Kevorkian's victims […]]]>